Columbia University Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery Bariatric Center

My first impression of Dr. Bessler - NOT warm and fuzzy!!! I had GBP 4/02 and came to realize there wasn't anyone better. Careful, thorough and caring - not only him, but his super staff - nutritionist, NP, etc. Support group on line can't be beat. Each and every day other Bessler pts share their lives and several times a year we get together in all areas of NY & NJ. Also provided by Dr. Bessler's staff is a monthly support meeting. As an RN I did much research on this procedure and those performing it and I KNOW I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. I truly would rate Dr. B and his staff as A+. They must have done something right. I went from 210 lbs to 97 and my weight is steady and has been for almost a year. I am 5' tall so this is a great weight for me. I went from a size 22 to a 2. Life is SO GOOD and I believe that Dr. Bessler and his staff made it possible.
Warm and fuzzy is good for a teddy bear - competence saves lives and Dr. Marc Bessler is one of the BEST!!!!!

He's warm but not too warm. He does his job and does it well.

He's very professional and courteous and is very dedicated to his patients and their well being.
An amazing group of people who know their stuff.
Nothing - I was very impressed since day one

If you want the job done right go see him. He was the first MD in the NY area to perform the gastric bypass.
Aftercare is as important as pre-op care.
He has a great aftercare program as well as a very well monitored website for all his patients as well as the other doctor's in his practice. We have 2 support meetings per month in 2 different locations.

I was very well informed before the surgery.
On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is very bad Dr. Bessler is a 10.

A good doctor not only has surgical competence but also a great bedside manner. Dr. Bessler is there for us before, during and after surgery. He even attends functions we have and boogies down with us. Like I said, he really cares.

Dr. Bessler is cool calm, collective, I asked him several questions, and he answered me honestly. Telling how risky surgery can be. Etc, that I am a great candidate for the surgery. His staffs are wonderful. I have to give it to Lorraine and Nancy.

UPDATE
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you have done for me.... and especially being able to make the change in the operating room being that I made a last minute change from (OPEN) to (LAPAROSCOPIC). Dr. Bessler and Dr. John Lew and all the staff were wonderful, they make sure that you are being taking care of, and not just left unattended like some stories I read about peoples stay in the hospital. They all make their rounds to see how well you are doing. Not only was his staff great. The nurses were awesome too Monique, Saddias, Kathy, and Beverly all from seven south. Thank you and May the Lord blesses all to continue to be the person that you are. I would truly refer anyone who is looking to have the surgery and is in need of a good surgeon would truly recommend them to Dr. Bessler and his staff.

My first impression of Dr. Bessler was he was a very caring man not just a doctor. I makd sure that he went over everything with you including answering question with a fine tooth comb. Before you walk out of his office. Plus I automactical like him after meeting his fan club. His office staff is excellent people who are busy but still make time for their patient. My after care was excellent I could not had asked for more. It was better then I excepted for the hospital personell. My doctor and the staff address the risk very clearly and made sure would understood everything before walking out of thier office. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate Dr. Bessler 10 1/2.

Dr. Bessler and his staff at the Center for Obesity Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital are fantastic--the best. I cannot recommend them highly enough. I had LAP RNY on December 17, 2002, and I have lost 60+ pounds in less than 4 months (from a high of 240). My surgery will be profiled this summer on the Discovery Channel series "Second Opinion with Dr. Mehmet Oz." Watch for it!

He is the one of the sweetest nurse's I hae ever had to deal with, he is very caring & polite. Gio shows great concern for his patients. He makes you feel comfortable and relax. He takes his time to answer any & all your questions. It is very easy to talk to him. He is very patient & extremely funny.

Very straight forward. He talked to me informing me of everything I needed to know. He made sure I understood how serious this operation is. He asked me often if I had any questions. I informed him, I have been on the computer so much within the last year, I'm pretty much informed. I feel very confident with him and is now waiting to be on the other side. He reviewed my profile asked me several questions and cleared me to be scheduled for a surgery date.

First impression was that she was very warm and very pretty.

Office staff was great.

What I like best about her was she was honest and straightforward.

She emphasized after care as changing your diet and to make sure u execrise.

She addressed all the risks of suregry.

I would rate her as 100

VERY GOOD. HE WAS PROFESSIONAL , YET WARM.

I MEET HIM TWICE BEFORE THE SURGERY AND BOTH ENCOUNTER WERE VERY POSITIVE.
DR. BESSLER STAFF IS VERY WARM AND CARING AND BRCOME KIND OF AN EXTENDED FAMILY AFTER SURGERY.
WHEN I SAW HIM ON THE DAY OF SURGERY, I WAS A BIT APPREHENSIVE. bECAUSE HE LOOKED SO YOU.
MY WORRIES WERE UNFOUNDED, B/C 12 HOURS AFTER SURGERY I WAS WALKING AROUND WITH\NO MAJOR DIFFICULTY.

IT TAKES ALEAST A YEAR TO GET A SURGERY DATE
I GUESS IT'S A LITTLE EARLY FOR ME TO ANSWER. I WAS GIVEN DETAILED INSTRUCTION CONCERNING WOUND CARE AND MEDICATION. I ALSO RECIEVED INFO ON MY NEW DIET RESTRICTIONS.

HE GIVES YOU DETAILED INFO CONCERNING THE RISK OF THIS SURGERY.
I WOULD SAY THAT BOTH WERE GREAT. I WAS TREATED GREAT BOTH BY HIM AND THE OTHER SURGEON THAT TOOK CARE OF ME WHILE HE WAS OFF.

Has been classified as top in his Field..has extensive waiting list and was referred to me by Long Island Bariatric Center.
Dr Bessler is:
Asst Professor of Surgery
Director of Obesity Mgmt Center
Director of Laparoscopic Surgery
**Columbia University Dept of Surgery for Obesity Surgery ** LINK: Columbia Presbyterian Physician Network - Physician Profile